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Kieron Dyer on struggling to deal with fame, fighting Lee Bowyer and his respect for Sir Bobby Robson

It was a career which ultimately didn't deliver as much as many expected, but it's fair to say that Kieron Dyer still achieved things that other players could only dream of.

Born in Ipswich, Dyer went on to become a full England international and spent many years in the Premier League - although injuries and misdemeanours off the pitch, (and even on one occasion on it), meant he never fulfilled his true potential.

At the age of 39, he has now released his autobiography titled: 'Old too soon, smart too late.'

In the book, he lifts the lid on that famous scrap with Lee Bowyer at Newcastle United, his relationship with Sir Bobby Robson and his regrets over his actions as a young professional trying to make his way in the game.

Following its release, Dyer took time out of his busy schedule to talk to our Sports Correspondent Donovan Blake.

Dyer on becoming a teenage millionaire

Dyer broke into the Ipswich first team as a 17-year-old. Credit: PA

I'm a millionaire overnight. Players didn't have Player Liaison Officers then, telling you the 'do's and dont's' and you had to find out on your own.

I was doing the business on the pitch, which is where you're judged. Unfortunately, because we had so many young players at the time up at Newcastle, we got the reputation as the 'Brat Pack' and along the way there were a few misdemeanours.

You're coming from poor backgrounds, you've got all this money, wealth, fame, temptation, with no guidance, it is a recipe for disaster.

– Kieron Dyer

Dyer on fighting Lee Bowyer on the pitch

Dyer was involved in a brawl with Newcastle teammate Lee Bowyer in 2005. Credit: PA

I'd done all the hard work to get them (the Newcastle fans) back onside, and then, we go into the Aston Villa game and people say it's a fight - but I say it's more like he attacked me!

I had to defend myself. I didn't know it would have the impact it had worldwide, and people still talk about it to this day.

– Kieron Dyer

Dyer on Sir Bobby Robson

Dyer rates Sir Bobby Robson as one of the best managers he played under. Credit: PA

Craig Bellamy says it best, he says: 'Everytime we went on the pitch, when Sir Bobby Robson did a teamtalk, he felt as big as Didier Drogba.' He just made every player feel invincible.

If you have every player going on to the pitch feeling amazing, feeling they're the best in the world, then I think that's half of your job done.

– Kieron Dyer

Dyer on appearing on I'm a Celeb

Dyer appeared on 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' in 2015. Credit: ITV

When I came out of the jungle after doing 'I'm a Celebrity', a lot of people thought: 'Oh, he's actually a decent lad!'

It's just funny seeing people's reaction. They just don't think footballers are nice people which is a shame really.